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SD Grassland Summit – SD Grasslands Initiative March 3rd-4th,Mitchell
March 3 @ 8:00 am - March 4 @ 4:00 pm
SD Grassland Summit – SD Grasslands Initiative March 3rd-4th,
Registration cost is $75, payment due Feb 24th, 2026. It is at the Highland Center, in Mitchell
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday, March 3
| Time | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:15 |
Registration
|
|
| 9:30 – 10:25 |
Welcome & Looking Back at Two Years of Impact
|
The opening session will feature brief updates from a variety of speakers highlighting progress within the South Dakota Grasslands Initiative, along with key developments in grassland conservation since the 2024 South Dakota Grasslands Summit.
Speakers:
|
| 10:25 – 10:40 |
Break
|
|
| 10:40 – 12:00 |
Cross-Sector Connections in Grasslands
|
|
| 12:00 – 1:00 |
Lunch
|
|
| 1:00 – 2:50 |
Grassland Impact on South Dakota Life
|
|
| 2:50 – 3:15 |
Break
|
|
| 3:15 – 3:45 |
Policy Panel
|
Representatives from our Congressional Offices will share updates on policy efforts related to conservation and agriculture, followed by perspectives and updates from staff representing several non-governmental organizations. |
| 3:45 – 4:15 |
Understanding Federal Conservation Funding
|
Matt Monick |
| 4:30 – 5:45 |
Conservation District Exploration
|
SDGI leadership, workgroup members and any individuals involved with a Conservation District are invited to a special session focused on what is already happening for grasslands through conservation districts, and how collaboration with SDGI and its workgroups could support both the District and SDGI partner goals. |
| 5:00 – 6:00 |
Grasslands Film Showcase
|
A casual event for attendees to mingle and enjoy some of the quality short films that have been produced highlighting what the grasslands have to offer. |
| 6:00 – 8:00 |
Graze & Grow Connections
|
Social, Supper, Poster Session & Sponsor Showcase |
Wednesday, March 4
| Time | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:45 |
Coffee with Speakers
|
Join speakers from the SD Grasslands Summit for coffee and informal conversation. This relaxed break offers an opportunity to sit down with one or more speakers as you move around the tables in the room to ask questions and continue discussions sparked from Day 1. Participants of Wednesday’s grassland restoration panel will also be available at a roundtable for small-group conversation.
Speakers include:
|
| 9:00 – 10:00 |
Panel: Returning Cropland to Working Grasslands
|
Producer stories of leveraging resources from Partners
Speakers:
|
| 10:00 – 10:15 |
Break
|
|
| 10:15 – 11:00 |
Raising the Bar Across the Prairie
|
Inspirational stories of collaboration for the improvement of grasslands and community.
|
| 11:00 – 11:45 |
Table Talk – Continuing to Raise the Bar with SDGI
|
Share your voice to help shape the continued direction of strengthening South Dakota’s grasslands – both within the SD Grasslands Initiative and with other efforts. |
| 11:45 – 12:00 |
Wrap Up
|
Joe Dickie, Joe Dickie Photography |
| 12:00 – 12:30 |
Lunch
|
|
| 12:30 – 4:00 |
South Dakota Heritage Fund Forum
|
Join this session to learn how Outdoor Heritage Funds work in neighboring states, share ideas, and take part in a facilitated discussion on what an Outdoor Heritage Fund could look like in South Dakota. Landowners, conservation and agricultural organizations, community leaders, and engaged citizens are welcome to participate.
Heritage Fund Voices and Perspectives include:
|